AIBU for being angry for not commenting on neighbours planning permission

[magicmania]

Last year our neighbours bought a house and applied for planning permission. Our gardens are East facing and they are in the south. A big of the light for our house comes from their side. They applied for a two-storey extension that we did not comment on. Yes, we were just silly and did not fully think through. The permission was rejected as their neighbour on the other side complained about light, which is not really obstructing. That makes us even worse to know that we just missed a good opportunity to be heard. Now they have begun construction and we see how massively dark our house is going to feel and the impact it will have on us. I know we can't do anything about, I am here screaming "Please tell me how to get past this?"

Rights of light is a property right independently of whether or not planning permission is granted. It might be worth consulting a property litigation solicitor to see if there is a claim for the infringement of rights of light.

You should always object if you feel it will negatively impact as that way your position gets more thoroughly considered. However as pp say, you may not have been successful anyway.

Don't worry too much, it isn't likely to affect your property value unless very impactful? A prospective buyer would only view how it is now.

We objected for a similar problem, but it was still granted. Your objections probably wouldn’t have made a difference. People can pretty much build what they like these days.

And yes it has affected our light.

We built an extension about ten years ago and our neighbours objected due to loss of light. The permission was granted anyway because our extension was compliant with all the local planning laws. One day they will sell up and the new owners will extend that house to be in line with ours, and harmony/rays of light through number 21's dining room window in the afternoon, will be restored.

Rights of light is a property right independently of whether or not planning permission is granted. It might be worth consulting a property litigation solicitor to see if there is a claim for the infringement of rights of light

That's correct, but the test is such a low level of light - think one candle half way across a room - it's not worth the effort.

Planning officers/inspectors apply planning policies. If they felt the proposal wasn't acceptable in planning terms it would have been rejected. Public comments rarely make any difference unless they highlight valid planning concerns...

I can understand - its a difficult one. You dont want to be starting off on the wrong food with neighbours by objecting to their plans.

Did they call to you in advance to let you know about their plans?

I think that it probably looks worse at this time of the year, lower sun and dull days.

I think that you should use this as motivation to go and get your own kitchen extension done. Do you need to get permission? Hopefully you dont run into an issue where these neighbours the objectto you (lesser imposing) plans. It wouldnt be the first time that has happened.

Once their extension is built as bettytaghetti said it might not be so bad.
If you are thinking of moving your kitchen to the back, which means you may have a builder? Ask about a light tunnel.
I wanted to have one put in a dark kitchen but the builder said he had never heard of them & I didn't push for it, should have done as my kitchen is dark. (its on the side of the house)
Googling I see Velux do them, as well as windows in the roof. I think you can even have light tunnels via a wall?

Ah - previous post made me realise I think you need planning permission for a light tunnel. sorry I haven't really investigated it since I asked our builder 7 + years ago. & things have changed.

At least you haven't fallen out with them over it!

Please tell me how to get past this

Extend.

I agree, your objection probably won't have made much difference.

1. it might not be as bad as you think when it's finished
2. extend as well
3. sell when the building work is finished. New buyers can't miss what they never had.

It probably would not have made any difference. I complained and had a petition but one of our old neighbours could still extend and take a whole year to renovate. I'm sorry but all you can do is move. I would be gutted though

I am surprised the other neighbours did not come and persuade you to object in solidarity.

But hey ho - you will probably still get some sun, my garden is N facing and I get sun somewhere in the garden all through the day in summer.

We had the same in our last house when a new build was put up on vacant land next door and lost a lot of the light into our dining room. We couldn't extend due to the design of our victorian house. We moved house in the end. There were other deciding factors but the dining room going from a lovely sunny family room to a dark gloomy room that no one wanted to spend time in was a big part of the decision.

Could you save up and have something similar built?

@katysukaty

Once their extension is built as bettytaghetti said it might not be so bad. If you are thinking of moving your kitchen to the back, which means you may have a builder? Ask about a light tunnel. I wanted to have one put in a dark kitchen but the builder said he had never heard of them & I didn't push for it, should have done as my kitchen is dark. (its on the side of the house) Googling I see Velux do them, as well as windows in the roof. I think you can even have light tunnels via a wall?

Sure. Will check that. Thanks.

I think there is something called a 45 degree rule. (not completely sure) but something like their extension can't be more than 45degrees of your window, so if it isn't then probably not much could be done anyway.

Thanks. Yes, we will probably save up and extend. We really like the neighbourhood and convenience.

A planning appeal is determined by an independent Inspector, not the Council. They are very experienced and will consider all relevant planning issues, whether or not objections have been lodged. A very big element of determining an application for an extension will be the consideration of the impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties. It is highly unlikely that the Inspector would have refused PP even if you had objected, but rest assured he will have taken into account the impact on your property.

I think you need to accept that the outcome would almost certainly have been the same even if you had objected.

my friend and a few neigbours objected to right of light for a block of flats being built she literally gets no sunlight one side of her flat

it was rejected as right of light isnt enough reason- her living room is quite dark now she has to have the light on most of the day

@MrsMiaWallis

At least you haven't fallen out with them over it!

This. Every cloud!

To put your mind at rest a bit. Even if you had objected it might still have gone through. A house with a Garth in our village was split. Planning permission for two large houses was sought. It was re applied about 10 times. The first few were all people who were affected then others joined in until there were 12 or 13 objections. They will look totally out of place as all the houses around the green are from C17 and up until 1850.
The problems were light, access, trees, wildlife etc
The plans were changed slightly and one of the houses went from a four to five bedrooms. Eventually despite no one giving up they passed it. No one could believe it. Luckily so far they haven’t sold the land which is an extortionate price for less than 1/2 acre.

If it makes you feel any better, a few years ago our extension plans were rejected even though no-one objected at all. Certainly in our area it seems that neighbours complaining/not complaining holds very little clout. Our rejection was decided by the borough council and the fact that the neighbours hadn’t complained was irrelevant to their decision.

You have my sympathies OP - I can’t stand people who do this and knowingly block out neighbours’ light. How can they be so selfish? Unfortunately the Tories’ relaxation of the planning laws mean it’s now going to be even easier for selfish twats to build all kinds of extensions onto their homes - both outwards and even more worryingly, upwards.